What To Do With Old Granite Countertops (Try This!)

Kerry Souder
by Kerry Souder

Remodeling your home can be a fun and exciting time. That said, the more you plan the project, the more you will begin realizing how much work it entails. This goes for full-scale home renovations as well as smaller projects like renovating your countertops. If you’re getting rid of your old granite countertops, you may be wondering what to do with the used materials once they are torn out.

Lucky for you, there are a handful of different things you can do with your old granite countertops before choosing to toss them in the trash. These options include repurposing the countertops to create something new, donating them to big charities or to friends and family, selling them to interested buyers, or simply recycling them through local programs.

Let’s take a look at what you should do with your old granite countertops, so you can make your upcoming renovations a breeze from beginning to end.

Related Guide: What To Do With Leftover Granite Countertop

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Where Should Your Old Granite Countertops Go?

One thing many people don’t think about right away is how much cleanup is involved when it comes to renovating versus a new construction project. With new construction, you don’t have to worry about removing old items, which saves a lot of time, energy, and cost overall.

When it comes to replacing your old granite countertops, there’s going to be a mess to clean up due to a lot of excess material. You will need it to go somewhere, and it turns out it can go to a lot of places!

Repurpose Them

Granite isn’t just good for countertops. There are plenty of other things you can do with it even after it finishes its life as a counter. Uses for the material range from decorative accent pieces to useful additions and everything in between. Instead of tossing your old granite away, convert it into something new! Here are some of the best things you can turn your leftover granite into:

  • Wall Decorations
  • Fire Pits
  • Tables & Shelves
  • Flooring & Outdoor Paths
  • Cutting Boards & Trays
  • Centerpieces
  • Coasters
  • Whiskey Stones
  • Lamp Bases

…and so much more!

Recycle Them

According to the EPA, we threw away 53 million tons of construction materials into a landfill just last year. A lot of these materials are in good enough shape, so you can reuse them again and again. Get in touch with your local recycling programs to see if they offer curbside pickup for your granite materials.

Granite is very strong and stable, which is why it’s useful to recycle it. Once recycled, you can use granite in many different products across unique industries. These include concrete, landscaping, walkways, or just more granite products.

Donate Them

If your countertops are still in good shape, consider donating them to a program like the Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Habitat for Humanity sells items donated by residents, using the proceeds to build homes and other buildings for the community.

You can also take advantage of online recycling groups like Freecycle to list your old countertops. Once you send your information, someone will come pick your materials up and put them to better use.

Sell Them

If you’re interested in making a few extra bucks to offset your remodel, selling your old granite countertops is the way to go. Granite is a well sought out product, and the odds are you will be selling it cheaper than market price. You’ll be surprised how many people will want it.

The best way to do this is to take quality photos of the products and provide a detailed description of them. Perhaps even add a section about all the things you can make with used granite to incentivize people. From there, you can post the listing wherever you see fit.

There are endless avenues you can go down when it comes to selling something, especially online. Some good places to start would be…

  • Craigslist
  • eBay
  • Facebook Marketplace
  • Social media platforms
  • Calling friends and family

Related Guide: How To Transport Granite

Throw Them Away

It’s true that granite is extremely durable, but sometimes they do break down. If your countertops are too far gone, you may have no other choice but to toss them in the trash. Make sure to exhaust all your other options before doing this though because there are so many better choices.

Pros of Using Granite

Granite is a natural stone that is incredibly durable, which means it can be reused many times over without deteriorating and with fairly minimal maintenance, too. It also means that it doesn’t have to be mined and processed as often since so much recycled granite stays in circulation.

Granite is an eco-friendly material that will bring warmth and beauty to any room. Plus, it’s really versatile, so you can make it into so many different things. You can choose from a wide range of colors and patterns to match your preferred aesthetic.

Cons of Using Granite

Most granite is important, which means the shipping and transport can cause them to have a large carbon footprint. Plus, granite is porous, so it must be sealed with chemicals to minimize staining.

Installation also produces a lot of dust, VOCs, and other chemicals, which can be hazardous in enclosed areas.


Related Questions

What are some common materials for countertops?

There are many different materials you can use for your countertops. Some of the most common materials include granite, quartz, laminate, concrete, tile, stainless steel, marble, and more. Which one you choose will depend on your personal style preferences.


How do you choose the right cabinets to match your countertops?

To get the most cohesive look for your space, you should decide on a color palette before anything else. Next, decide if you want your cabinets to contrast with your countertops or have it compliment them. You’ll need to pick a granite pattern, too. If you’re not sure where to start, consult a professional.


How much does it cost to remove countertops?

The typical cost to remove countertops ranges from $40 and $70 per countertop. However, this price can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the project, the size of your kitchen, and the rates of local contractors in your area.

Do You Need Countertop Installers?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Final Thoughts on What to Do with Your Granite

If you find yourself with a bunch of old granite countertops on your hands, don’t limit yourself! There is no end to the things you can do with them instead of simply tossing them in the trash, and we’ve only just scratched the surface.

Overall, granite is a great material that you can recycle over and over again. Plus, you can use repurposed granite to make many different household objects.

Before you begin planning your countertop renovations, be sure to consider what you’re doing with the old countertops. That way, you’re not scrambling and trying to get rid of everything at the same time as the new project is going on.

Kerry Souder
Kerry Souder

I am a copywriter and editor based in the Las Vegas area with nearly a decade of experience under my belt writing landing pages, cost guides, blog posts, newsletters, case studies, and social media content. I have a degree in Strategic Communication and experience working in both the account and creative spheres. My goal is to always be discovering new interests and bettering myself as a writer and editor along the way.

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